Surat: Police have arrested two youths for allegedly driving a white Mercedes car without a registration number plate and displaying a board reading “MLA GUJARAT” in an apparent attempt to evade police action in the Mota Varachha area.

According to police, the accused were found in an intoxicated state when the vehicle was intercepted near Uttaran Turning Point during a patrol by Uttaran Police Station PI H.R. Goswami and the surveillance staff.

The luxury Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC car did not have a registration number plate and instead displayed a board reading “MLA GUJARAT” on the front windshield.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted that they had put up the MLA board to create an impression of influence and avoid police checks.

Police arrested 38-year-old Praful Shamjibhai Sanghani, a resident of Sahajanand Prastha in Mota Varachha and originally from Jivapar village in Jamnagar district, and 28-year-old Ashish Chimanbhai Vekaria, a resident of Sahayog Society in Punagam and originally from Pipalwa village in Amreli district.

Officials said Praful Sanghani is associated with an Info Block business at Shivali Industries in Kosamba, while Ashish Vekaria is engaged in business activities in Pipodara.

Police seized the white Mercedes car valued at around Rs 30 lakh along with the “MLA GUJARAT” board.

According to police records, Sanghani had previously been booked in a prohibition-related offence at Sarthana police station, while multiple gambling and prohibition cases have been registered against Vekaria at Uttaran police station.